Anyone who is not like us we assume that person to have a personality disorder. We find such people weird and uncanny; however, this may not always be the case. There is no doubt that some people are, generally, not like us and should be considered unique while there are some who are surely suffering from some sort of personality disorder.

Personality disorder is a term that we often use and hear to refer to a lot of people while we converse with our friends or even family. Though, the intention of such referral is mostly a joke but if we search the term with an eagle’s eye it is way too serious and drastically less comical expression to use.

While we already know what Personality is and the Types and Traits related to it, it also becomes imperative to explore about the disorders that human personality possess. It is believed that all of us can be prone to any type of personality disorder and causes for such issues can be numerous. Whatsoever may the case be let’s dive into this term and see if we possess any disorder or know someone who is suffering from it.

Personality Disorder another Name for Crazy?

Well, it is absolutely rubbish to categorize people with personality disorder as crazy; there are surely some issues with such people’s personalities which definitely can be overcome and resolved with treatment and of source care. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders 5th Revision (DSM-5) refers;

A personality disorder can be diagnosed if there are significant impairments in self and interpersonal functioning together with one or more pathological personality traits.

Individuals suffering from any type of disorder tend to find great trouble in focusing and performing normative daily tasks that an ordinary person can easily do. There are some abnormalities found in people with such disorder which also affects their life in a negative way. Certainly, such folks needs helps and can be cured, easily. .

Types of Personality Disorder – The Three Clusters

According to DSM-5, there are three groups or clusters (A, B, C) that are further divided in to various disorders that fall under each cluster. These Personality Disorders altogether form about TEN disorders, each one diverse from one another.

Cluster A

(Odd, bizarre & eccentric)

Cluster B

(Dramatic &erratic)

Cluster C

(Anxious & fearful)

Paranoid PD

Antisocial PD

Avoidant PD

Schizoid PD

Borderline PD

Dependent PD

Schizotypal PD

Histrionic PD

Obsessive-compulsive PD

Narcissistic PD

Having any personality Disorder? Let’s Find Out

Well, these types are not the byproduct of the scientific study; however, they withhold a substantial historical position. So, we believe that these are the general types that cover various issues with the personality. Moreover, there is a tendency of various disorders of same cluster to merge or blur with one another so therefore they are placed in a same groups.

Cluster A

Paranoid Personality Disorder

Anyone who tend to mistrust others and find it often too hard to believe in others even their friends or family can be categorized to have a Paranoid PD. Due to such belief, such people become suspicious and constantly work on validating their distrust.

Such people find it hard to develop dependable relationship in life. There is also a study that claims that;

…paranoid PD is modestly heritable, and that it shares a portion of its genetic and environmental risk factors with schizoid PD and schizotypal PD.

Schizoid Personality Disorder

The problem with such people is that they feel detached from people and do not believe in socializing. For them, it a mere waste of time and is indifferent to society and conventions of world. Also, he lacks emotional response and does not even bears a desire for intimacy. A study suggests that people with schizoid PD are in fact;

…highly sensitive with a rich inner life: they experience a deep longing for intimacy but find initiating and maintaining close relationships too difficult or distressing, and so retreat into their inner world.

Moreover, it is hard to clinically diagnose such people as they tend to perform perfectly perform their daily tasks and do not feel troubled by their apparent oddness.

Schizotypal Disorder

There is one word for such disorder that is ‘Oddity’. People suffering from such disorder present themselves in a way that is odd and unusual. Such people are not so expressive about their feelings and feel conscious and tensed in big gatherings. According to an article by American Psychiatric Association there is found;

A pattern of acute discomfort in close relationships, distortions in thinking or perception, and eccentric behavior.

Cluster B

Antisocial personality Disorder

If you think there is somebody who has total disregard for others feelings and disrespect them without feeling any emotional or distress or sentiments then surely such person has Antisocial PD. Such a person has no respect for obligations and rules, lacks the feeling of guilt and has a tendency of committing crime. According to Psychology Today;

Antisocial PD is the mental disorder most closely correlated with crime, he (who suffers from it) is likely to have a criminal record or a history of being in and out of prison.

Borderline Personality Disorder

This might be one of the most dangerous disorders as such people tend to harm themselves as they lack sense of self and often experience emptiness. They crave for attachment and love so much so that they develops fear of abandonment in them. It is often suggested that such disorder develops as a result if childhood sexual abuse and is mostly common in women.

Borderline PD was so-called because it was thought to lie on the ‘borderline’ between neurotic (anxiety) disorders and psychotic disorders such as schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. (Psychology Today)

Histrionic Personality Disorder

Self absorbed and attention seeking people fall under this disorder. Such people think there is nothing else is the world that exists, other than them and want everyone to pay attention towards them.

Their dealings with others often seem insincere or superficial, which, in the longer term, can adversely impact on their social and romantic relationships.(Psychology Today)

Narcissistic Personality Disorder

Well, here come the people who extremely self obsessed and care about only their image, pride, and social status. Such people are mostly envious and jealous of others and lack empathy. American Psychiatric Association states;

Narcissistic personality disorder may have a grandiose sense of self-importance, a sense of entitlement, take advantage of others or lack empathy.

Cluster C

Avoidant Personality Disorder

People with such disorder often feel that others make fun of them and often feel ignored by others. They fear ridiculed by others or being shamed and avoid forming any sort of relationship bond with others.

People with avoidant PD believe that they are socially inept, unappealing, or inferior, and constantly fear being embarrassed, criticized, or rejected. (Psychology Today)

Dependent Personality Disorder

If you lack self confidence and depend too much on others then you might be suffering from Dependent PD. They rely upon others for almost all the issues relating their daily life and doubt their own decisions.

A person with dependent PD sees himself as inadequate and helpless, and so surrenders personal responsibility and submits himself to one or more protective others.(Psychology Today)

Obsessive Compulsive Personality Disorder

Commonly known as OCD, is quite a recognized disorder of times. Such people are known to be obsessed with perfection in all things, discipline and order. Such people are way to cautious and careful about things and like to do things with extreme concern and precision.

Anankastic PD is characterized by excessive preoccupation with details, rules, lists, order, organization, or schedules; perfectionism so extreme that it prevents a task from being completed; and devotion to work and productivity at the expense of leisure and relationships.(Psychology Today)

So, these disorders can be developed in any individual; the reason or causes for such can not be perfectly determined however, psychology does recommend few Causes of Psychological Disorders but the absolute reason can still be vary person to person.